Tank for use in impregnating wood



D O O w LG Am HM N m I WN OI BE Hw GF M A T Dec. 11,'1951 2 SHEETS- SHEET l Original Filed Nov. 21, 1946 nl, Ilm Il., v

Dec. l1, 1951 G. H. BoNNl-:LL ET AL TANK FOR USE IN IMPREGNATING WOOD Original Filed Nov. 2l, 1946 2 SHEETS- SHEET 2 133)* /55 .ZI/6 'Illllll mnu. l

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Patented Dec. 11, l1951 TANK FOR USE IN IMPREGNATTNG WOOD Gordon H. Bonnell, Arthur J. Bailey, and Gardner G. Garlick, Kalamazoo, Mich., assignors to Pro- `tection Products Manufacturing Company,

Kalamazoo, Mich.

Original application November 21, '1946, ASerial No. 711,436. Divided and this application February 12, 1948, Serial No. 7,825

8-Claims. l

This invention relates to .improvements .in a .tank for use in impregnating wood.

The present application is a division of the `,applicants' application for Letters Patent led November 21, 1946, Serial No. r111,436, and now abandoned. l

The main objects `of this invention are:

First, to provide a tankforuse in impregnating woodland the like which is well adapted to withstand external pressures resulting from vacuums created within thetank.

Second, to provide an impregnating tank in which the bottom and wall panels and the top may be formed lof Arelatively light sheet stock and are so -supported fas to withstand stresses incident to a high vacuum produced vwithin the tank.

Y Third, to provide'afstructure of this character in `which the cover is urged Ato closedpositionby the vacuum within the tank, `thus avoiding the necessity of cover retaining vor clamping means.

Fourth, 'to provide a structure'having these advantages which is vquite Vsimple and economical.

Further objects Vrelating to details and .economies of the invention will appear from :the description to follow. The invention is deiinedin the claims. The drawings, of which there 4are two sheets, illustrate a preferred form of .our structure, in which:

Fig. 1 isafragmentary side elevational vicwof a structure embodying our invention, partially broken away and partially in longitudinal section.

Fig. 2 is an Venlarged fragmentary view in transverse section on Aline vl--2 of Fig. 1 villustrating structural detailsof the tankandalso-of the cover andits mounting.

Fig. -3 isan 'enlarged transverse section on l.a line correspondingto line `3 3 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is an-enlarged fragmentary view in horizontal section on aline correspondingto line 4-4 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary view in section online 5-5 of Figs. 3 and 4.

The structureillustrated in the accompanying drawing is particularly designed by us 'for use in the practice of the method of our aboveidentied original application "for the impregnation of Wood or lumber in substantial quantities 'and lengths, a charge 4of klumber indicated conventionallyat I'being shown Within the tank of-our present invention designated generally by the numeral. AThe tank is designed to receive a suitable quantity of impregnating liquid and connections I 3 and 4 .1 are conventionally illustrated,

the connection 4 bei-nga liquid. comieinh tank is provided .with .Sight gages 5 .t0 ,falie determinaticnof .the deptnof,impresnatingliquid within the tank. The :tank iS especially .(.sgzmd to .withstand .external `pressures or stresses .pgsulting from atmospheric pressures :when .a Na.- uum is created Within the tank. Also, to iefftively support the charge .of material .to =be treated.

The Vtank comprises va bottom iframe. consisting of side and end members B @of angle section disposed with the angles zfacing :inwardly .and 11pwardly, and a top frame comprising side and end members l disposedwith their angles :facing outwardly and downwardly. Corner uprights .8 connect these top vand bottom frames. 'These corner uprights -comprise outer members ,9 of angle section `disposed .with .their angles facing inwardly and inner members Jill `.of :angle lsection disposed with their angles'facing outwardly, :that is, upright members being in facing relation and the flangesthereof `welded together.

The side :and end'reinforcing ribs lil are ,arrangedon :the inner sides of the .wall `panels l2 which in the embodiment illustrated are .of a suitable gage of sheet metalhaving their :edges welded to the top and .bottom .frames throughout to provide air-,tightfconnection v'betweenthe wall panels Vand .the ,frame members. nflhe swell panels are also .weldedfto the :reinforcing .ribs as indicated at .|3. Tliexreinforcingribs v.Ifl areoi T section.

The bottom panel i4 is also tif-sheet metaland its edges are .Welded :to .the .edges .of the 4bottom frame members .as i.indioated :at `115. ,The zbOttQm reinforcing |ribs i6 are likewise vvof i'l'eoliorl..flll the bottom panel I:Mis l.wielded thereto. ,lihebottom yribs are -disposed Ybetween opposed '.peirs v0f upright side ribs :and are Welded vthereto as indicated at Il. Angledifootorfbracket members [8 are providedfor further securing the vend ribs members to theendmembers of thebottom frame and to the panclfas indicatedat .|9.and 20,;1jig.5.

.The vside ,walls `are .provided :with diagonally disposed `braces 2| of lwhich :are disposed exfternally Vand welded together Vat :theirrmeeting of crossing .points 2|0 ,and also Welded =to :theocrner .uprights at 2,2.

.The .load or .charge :indicated byrdotted lines is supported'by'bars23 arranged betweenioppose'd upright side ribs and weldedthereto asfindieazted at 24.' These supports are :arrangedin ;.an.in clined series, ,being inclined toward themQnnee-f tion 3 so that the load is supportedinfaninolineii relation within ithe tank, .which facilitates; drain-V ing of the load. The side ribs serve as side abutments for the charge of material, that is, they receive the thrust of the material when it is being lowered into or removed from the tank. The load is preferably introduced and removed from the tank by means of a hoist after the load has been bound together or assembled as a unit, and consequently there is likely to be a swaying movement of the load, but the structure is such as to effectively withstand such shocks or thrusts.

The cover designated generally by the numeral comprises the cover frame 26 formed of side and end members of oangle section arranged to face downwardly and outwardly with the horizontal iianges 21 thereof over hanging the top ange 28 of the top frame of the tank. This top flange 28 serves as a cover jamb. The gasket 29 is arranged on the jamb or cover seat, the cover resting on the gasket. The cover panel 30 is secured to the cover frame by welding thereto as indicated at 3l and 32, and is rigidly reinforced by longitudinal and transverse reinforcing members 33 and 34. The cover is centered on the tank by means of the positioning studs 35 which are desirably in the form of bolts adjustably secured to the depending flanges 36 of the cover frame.

The threaded studs or bolts 35 are provided with adjusting and clamping nuts 31 coacting with the cover frame flanges 3B. In the embodiment illustrated, the cover is swingably secured to the tank by means of hinges consisting of the bolt-like elements 33 which are pivoted at 39 to the ears d provided therefor on the tank. These bolts extend loosely through ears 4l provided on the cover, the bores 42 receiving the bolts being of such size as to allow free vertical movement of the cover relative to its hinge elements. This permits the swinging of the cover by means of the cable 44, having branches 45 engageable with the eyes 4E on the cover. This permits the swinging of the cover to open and closed position and at the same time permits vertical movement of the cover when in closed position. The cover is preferably provided with a hold-down member 4l adapted to engage the material treated when the cover is closed and hold it in submerged relation to the liquid. With this arrangement of the parts, the tank may be made of comparatively light materials, but it is at the same time capable of withstanding external pressure resulting from high degree of vacuum therein. In fact, it is designed to withstand pressures up to a complete vacuum. No holddown or locking means are required for the cover asit is held down by the pressure resulting from the vacuum within the tank.

The tank of our invention is especially designed by us for use in the practice of the method of our said application, Serial No. 711,436. It is desirable, however, for use in other relations where it is desired to treat materials in a substantial degree of vacuum. Another advantage is that as the pressures are external, the framing and ribbing support for the walls is interiorally arranged, leaving the exterior of the tank comparatively free from projecting parts.

We have illustrated and described our invention in a highly practical embodiment thereof. We have not attempted to illustrate or described other embodiments or adaptations, as it is believed that this disclosure will enable those skilled in the art to embody or adapt our invention as may be desired.

Having thus described our invention, what we 4 claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

l. In a tank for impregnating materials, the combination of bottom frame side and end members of angled section disposed with their angles facing inwardly, top frame side and end members of angled section disposed with their angles facing outwardly, the top frame constituting a cover gasket seat, corner uprights extending from said top and bottom frame members and comprising facing pairs of angle section welded together at their edges, a plurality of side and end ribs of I section disposed in spaced relation with their ends in abutting relation to the horizontal flanges of the top and bottom frame members and welded thereto, bottom ribs of I section disposed with their ends abutting the lower ends of the side ribs and welded thereto, bottom side and end wall panels disposed on the outer sides of the bottom, side and end ribs and with their edges in abutting relation to the bottom and top frame members and corner uprights and welded thereto, diagonally disposed reinforcing and supporting bars arranged on the outer sides of the side wall panels, a cover comprising downwardly and outwardly facing side and end frame members of angle section, a cover panel arranged on said frame members, longitudinal and transverse reinforcing bars arranged on the outer side of said cover panel, hinge members carried by said tank and having a swinging element extending slidably through said cover to form a slip connection to said cover whereby the cover is supported for swinging and for vertical movement relative to the top frame of the tank, and adjustable positioning studs on said cover coactng with said tank top frame.

2. In a tank for impregnating materials the combination of bottom frame side and end members of angled section disposed with their angles facing inwardly, top frame side and end members of angled section disposed with their angles facing outwardly, the top frame constituting a cover gasket seat, corner uprights extending between said top and bottom frame members, a plurality of side and end ribs of I section disposed in spaced relation with their ends in abutting relation to the horizontal flanges of the top and bottom frame members and welded thereto, bottom ribs of I section disposed with their ends abutting the lower ends of the side ribs and welded thereto, bottom side and end wall panels disposed on the outer sides of the bottom, side and end ribs with their edges in abutting relation to the bottom and top frame members and corner uprights and welded thereto, a cover comprising downwardly and outwardly facing side and end frame members of angle section, a cover panel arranged on said frame members, longitudinal and transverse reinforcing bars arranged on the outer side of said cover panel, hinge members carried by said tank and having a swinging element extending slidably through said cover to form a slip connection to said cover whereby the cover is supported for swinging and for vertical movement relative to the top frame of the tank, and adjustable positioning studs on said cover coacting with said tank top frame. Y

3. In a tank for impregnating materials, the combination of bottom frame side and end members of angled section disposed with their angles facing inwardly, top frame side and end members of angled section disposed with their angles facing outwardly, the top frame constituting a cover gasket seat, corner uprights extending between said top and bottom frame members, a plurality of side and end ribs of I section disposed in spaced relation with their ends in abutting relation to the horizontal anges of the top and bottom frame members and weldedthereto, bottom ribs of I section disposed with their ends abutting the lower ends of the side ribs and Welded thereto, bottom, side and end wall panels disposed on the outer sides of the bottom, side and end ribs and with their edges in abutting relation to the bottom and top frame members and corner uprights and welded thereto, a cover comprising downwardly facing side and end frame members of angle section, a cover panel arranged on said frame members, and longitudinal and transverse reinforcing bars arranged on the outer side of said cover panel.

4. In a tank for impregnating materials, the combination of bottom frame side and end members of angled section disposed with their angles facing inwardly, top frame side and end members of angled section disposed with their angles rfacing outwardly, the top frame constituting a cover gasket seat, corner uprights extending between said top and bottom frame members, a plurality of side and end ribs of I section disposed in spaced relation with their ends in abutting relation to the horizontal flanges of the top and bottom frame members and welded thereto, bottom ribs of I section disposed with their ends abutting the lower ends of the side ribs and welded thereto, bottom, side and end wall panels disposed on the outer sides of the bottom, side and end ribs and with their edges in abutting relation to the bottom and top frame members and corner uprights and welded thereto, a cover comprising downwardly facing side and end frame members of angle section, a cover panel arranged on said frame members, longitudinal and transverse reinforcing bars arranged on the outer side of said cover panel, work supporting bars disposed transversely within said tank between opposed pairs of side ribs and with their ends secured thereto, said bars being arranged in an inclined series to support the material within the tank in an inclined relation therein, the side ribs constituting material abutment members. and a hold down member attached to the underside of said cover and projecting therebelow to engage work in said tank when said cover is closed.

5. In a tank for impregnating materials, the combination of bottom and top frames and corner uprights, the ton frame constituting a cover gasket seat, a plurality of upright wall supporting ribs having their ends welded to said ton and bottom frames, bottom ribs disposed with their ends abutting the lower ends of opposed upright ribs and welded thereto. bottom, side and end wall panels disposed on the outer sides of the bottom, side and end ribs welded thereto and to said bottom and top frame and corner unrights, a cover comprising a frame and a cover panel arranged thereon, reinforcing bars arranged on the outer side of the cover panel and secured thereto, hinge members carried by said tank top frame and having a swinging element extending slidably through said cover to form a slio connection to said cover whereby the cover is sunported for swinging and for vertical movement relative to the top frame of the tank so that it is urged to closed position bv atmospheric pressure when a vacuum is created within the tank, and adjustable positioning studs on said cover coacting with said tank top frame to lateially position the cover on the tank.

6. In a tank for impregnating materials, the combination of bottom and top frames and corner uprights, the top frame constituting a cover gasket seat, a plurality of upright wall suporting ribs having their ends welded to said top and bottom frames, bottom ribs disposed with their ends abutting the lower ends of opposed upright ribs and welded thereto, bottom, side and end wall panels disposed on the outer sides of the bottom, side and end ribs and welded thereto and to said bottom and top frame and corner uprights, a cover, work supporting bars disposed transversely within said tank between opposed pairs of side ribs with their ends secured thereto, said bars being arranged in an inclined series to support the material within the tank in an inclined relation therein, the side ribs constituting material abutment members.

7. In a tank of the class described having bottom and side walls, reinforcing ribs for said bottom and side walls arranged therein in supporting relation to the bottom and walls, the wall supporting ribs constituting work abutments, work supporting bars arranged within said tank and supported by certain of the ribs thereof in an inclined series to support the material within the tank in an inclined relation therein, said tank being provided with a cover supporting jamb, the jamb being provided with a gasket, a cover adapted to close upon said gasket, and hinge members connecting said cover to said tank, one of the parts of each hinge member having a loose slidable connection to the cover whereby the cover is supported for swinging movement and for vertical movement relative to the tank so that it is urged to closed position by atmospheric pressure thereon when a vacuum is created within the tank.

8. In a tank of the class described having bottom and side walls, reinforcing ribs for said bottom and side walls arranged therein in supporting relation to the bottom and walls, the wall supporting ribs constituting work abutments, work supporting bars arranged within said tank in an inclined series to support the material within the tank in an inclined relation therein, said tank being provided with a cover supporting jamb, the jamb being provided with a gasket, and a cover adapted to freely seat upon said gasket so that the cover is urged to closed position by atmospheric pressure thereon when a vacuum is created within the tank.

GORDON H. BONNELL. ARTHUR J. BAILEY. GARDNER G. GARLICK.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 698,134 Phillips Apr. 22, 1902 873,085 Repetto Dec. 10, 1907 895,209 Smith Aug. 4, 1908 896,276 Connolly Aug. 18, 1908 1,135,777 Destribats Apr. 13, 1915 1,446,814 Scott Feb. 27, 1923 1,516,036 Binford Nov. 18, 1924 1,793,946 McEwan Feb. 24, 1931 2,273,039 Hudson Feb. 17, 1942 

